Friday, 31 July 2009

Abheek Sinha aka Rohn debut movie “1-800 Love!”, if one goes by measuring the reactions of the netizens, one can come to the conclusion that the hype is missing on this multi-starer movie. It is missing on the craze factor. Even the aura of John Abraham fails to show its online sheen.

Knowing very well that the success and failure of any movie and its acceptance among the cinegoers, is decided on the hype it creates pre-and-post release on different social networking sites like Orkut and Facebook and other online platforms.

Something ‘hot’ splutters fast in these platforms. And if it is on movies, it goes viral. So far, the online activities of the movie are silent, somber and minuscule in numbers. Even big and respectful movie sites are silent on the whole project.

There are total seven ‘Community’ that are devoted to the movie “1-800 Love!” in Orkut. The average number of members joining these communities even doesn’t cross 10. Only one community owned by ‘Nil... BreaKING d HaBIT’ has 14 members so far.

In Facebook, the number of ‘Group’ is even worse. The reason behind reserved reactions of the netizens towards the movie might be the lack of marketing tactics followed by the production house and not having ‘hot and marketable’ stars.

Thursday, 30 July 2009

Every Indian wants to have a pie of the Bollywood dream. But few dares to dream, and those who dream, as a saying goes, their dream remains a dream. But for Abheek Sinha, a Tripura-based Bishnupriya Manipuri, familiar with ‘Rohn’, has at last kissed the Bollywood dream.

Abheek Sinha, son of Dr Ashok Sinha, will be playing a lead role with John Abraham, Pakhi Tyrewala, Raghu and Madhavan in the Abbas Tyrewala's film “1-800 Love” - a $ 10 million romantic comedy.

Born and brought up in Agartala, Abheek Sinha studied in Holy Cross School and then went for Jai Hind College in Mumbai.

“He plays the role of a protagonist's 16 year old neighbour and is a catalyst in the plot,” Abbas Tyrewala said in an interview given to Mid Day.

Abbas spotted Rohn at a cafe, walked up to him and offered him the role and doesn't want to consider another option at this stage, "I want only him for this role. I can't make the film without this boy. I see only him in the role. I want him and no one else." Replacing Rohn with a local actor is not an option, said Abbas in the interview.

However, the shooting that has to be taken place in London soon came under cloud with the visa denial of Abheek Sinha, Mid Day reported.

According to Tripura-based news site, Abheek Sinha was granted Visa with the help of a journalist who is presently based in Kolkata convincing the British Authorities that Abheek would for no reason will reside in UK.

SILCHAR, July 29: “A total of 2.95 lakh people constitute the Bishnupriya Manipuri population in Asom and 4.16 lakh Bishnupriya people live in the entire Northeast,” stated Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha principal secretary Uday Sinha at a local committee meet of the Mahasabha held at Tukagram, Katakhal on the outskirts of Silchar town.

Sinha said a statistical survey of Bishnupriya population began under the patronage of the Mahasabha in all over the Northeast in 2004, and it completed in 2008. He said: “The Mahasabha has produced evidence on the Bishnupriya Manipuri population census to the Asom Government.” The meeting was presided over by Motikanta Sinha. Mahasabha State president Bhupendra Sinha and Movement Committee’s president in-charge Ashish Sinha attended the meeting as chief guests.

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

GUWAHATI, July 28 – The State Government vide a notification dated July 24, 2009, has reconstituted the Assam State Commission for Minorities, a press release said.

Md Ismail Hussain Khan, ex-member of Parliament, has been made the chairperson while Allen Brook of Uzan Bazar, Guwahati and Mukti Deb Choudhury, ex-principal, Cotton College, Guwahati, have been appointed as members of the newly-constituted committee, the release added.

There is an urgent need to spread the teachings of Sri Sri Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur, it was decided in a meeting of the engineers in Kolkata recently. It was also decided that a statue of Sadhu Thakur sculpted in white marvel be installed in the Nat-Mandir, where the general devotees (Theertha-yatri) can offer their prayers.

At present the statue is quite away from the Nat –Mandir. In this regard, an appeal was made in writing to the President, Inspection Committee through proper channel i.e the sevait, to look into the matter in their perspective.

The write-up appeared in the Dainik Jugasankha dated 23rd July 2009, as a Letter to the Editor

After four long decades of the democratic movement for the introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language in Assam, the Government of Assam, officially introduced Bishnupriya Manipuri text book “Kanak Path” in the 52 primary schools of Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi on 12th February 2001.

However the introduction of “Kanak Path” was not an end in itself. It soon started sailing into the choppy waters of vested interests ordained by allegedly few people of our community. It is to be mentioned that the than AGP Government of Assam directed to impart the Bishnupriya Manipuri language through rationalization of teachers i.e. through the existing Bishnupriya Manipuri teachers.

Things started going bad when some persons who raised the slogan “no appointment, no language” were able to persuade the Government to stop the circulation and teaching of Bishnupriya Manipuri text book “Kanak Path”.

However because of utmost effort and registered protest of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri people of Barak Valley and with the assistance of the political parties the ban on “Kanak Path” was lifted.

In the meantime the unholy circle abruptly established a so-called “Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Training Centre” and started issuing Certificates to all sorts of unqualified applicants from whom they collected a good sum of unaccounted money.

To solidify their modus operandi they started pressurizing the Government to appoint the teachers on “honorary” basis. The Deputy Inspector (D.I) of schools, Cachar District, issued illegal appointment orders for which there was a great resentment of the people from the whole district.

As a result Bidyut Purkayastha, the then D.I of School of Cachar, cancelled these honorary appointments. The news of the cancellation appeared in the local newspapers. It was reported that a unholy circle, by forging the signature of the then Deputy Secretary, Education Department Government of Assam, Mrs Raina Saikia, has started that uncontrolled business of appointment of honorary language teachers. As a result 150 educated unemployed youth became the victims of cheating.

The writer himself is an applicant of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language teacher. I have applied as per the employment notice issued by the Government of Assam. Like wise many intelligent unemployed qualified youths applied and also faced the interview board.

As things are not coming to end, we want appointment as per the rules and regulations of the Government. We should not be subjected to deprivation. It is a matter of regret that Kartik Sena Sinha, M.L.A Patherkandi is allegedly making useless effort for regularization of those illegally appointed language teachers. Whereas we are qualified applicants but what he is doing for us, rather he is involved in a conspiracy against our appointment, through regular process.

Sunday, 26 July 2009

This is the second article in the series which has come up from the reader's perceptions have on an intriguing issue – Is Imaar Thar in Danger. Read the first article : Dwindling Vs Secure

Tridiv Sinha from New Delhi:

I have some reasons to believe that it might come straight to us as a punch on the face. Yeah, our own language might be counted as an endangered language in the near future. But I am not sure of the specific time-period.

The current limitations in the use of our language is that, even though almost every family speaks the language as of today, the children and teenagers aren't fluent in it and often use terms from other languages to complete the message. So, the language is losing it's resources exponentially.

Statistically speaking, we are already a minority in the country; forget the world. Moreover, rate of increase of population of our community isn't in par with India or world. So, even though we are growing in population, our apparent population when compared to the total in the areas concerned is actually getting reduced.

Bipul Sinha from Mumbai:

(It is immaterial) You marry other caste or not nowadays parents sentiment is to teach (their sons and daughters) English before Imaar thar.

Remuna Sinha from Tripura:

Bishnupriya Manipuri language is of much antiquity. Historical evidences indicate its existence even prior to the 15th century A.D. The language has not vanished or disappeared even against so many adversaries, constraints, hurdles and ethnic outrage.

I'm confident the language may languish but will not perish.

Bishnupriya Manipuri people should not make their communication with artificiality leaving their natural language. A time will come of self retrospection for upholding the language with indomitable urge like the Jews of Israel.

Sagarjit Sinha from Moran, Assam:

I feel there should be a will to learn. So, we should give our children the education which will culture them, so that they can inculcate the facts of life ahead.

The social scenario in our towns/cities have become cosmopolitan where we encounter a vibrant mixture of culture/languages. This is the real scenario of India and the thread binding all the culture/languages is the Indian Ethic. It may be pointed out that the Hindi language has also binded us together, particularly the bombardment of soap operas in our television. A child at a tender age is being exposed to the Hindi language and he catches new phrases everyday. Here the parents try hard to communicate with the children in our Imar Thar, but they fail to impress them. The parents then reconcile to the fact that their children are young and when they grow up they will surely speak our Imar Thar. True, sometimes our child return home from school and ask us as to why are we Bishnupriya Manipuri while all their friends are either Assamese or Bengali. In this context it won't be perfect to be strict and force feed our imar Thar. Let them grow around normally and gain the wisdom and ethic of India. Apart from our language I feel that our customs/rituals which if followed by the parents, become an important tool which binds our Bishnupriya Manipuris together.

If I quote my own example I grew up in Shillong which is cosmopolitan and my lingua franca was many except our Imar Thar. But when I went to study outside, I felt the need of having our own identity. Although we don't have our own state, at least our culture/our language are the precious gems which we can showcase. Thereon I started to inculcate our Imar Thar and am still trying. So I feel there should be a will to learn which is important.

Friday, 24 July 2009

When the economic slowdown was on its zenith point and entrepreneurs world over were feeling the pinch of the slowdown, young Turks Henryy Sinha and Dolby were busy finalizing the nitty-gritty of their new enterprise Henryy& Dolby Motion Pictures.

Henryy& Dolby Motion Pictures is India’s first Profile filmmakers, claims Henryy Sinha and Dolby to their new venture. Like many new entrants into the world of business the top guns would be concentrating on multiple verticals of business.

The Henryy& Dolby Motion Pictures will be concentrating on making films on Profiles, Corporates, and on such social issues which need urgent attention, said the partners explaining the areas where their baby-project would be venturing into. Both the partners, Henryy Sinha and Dolby affirm that they also intend to cover and promote the Indian Rock Bands.

How a Bishnupriya Manipuri Henryy Sinha and a Punjabi munda Dolby have come together in establishing a project called Henryy& Dolby Motion Pictures? They say, it is their commonality that both of them share on many things near and dear to their heart as well as passion for creating ‘something’. “We both are big fans of Tarantino, Clint Eastwood and Hitchcock. Creativity in our films will be influenced by our liking for the same brand of music. Dream Theater, Pearl Jam, Iron Butterfly are some of our inspiration. You might see a glimpse of these influences in our films,” says Henryy Sinha.

Their chemistry besides being based on the school of The Blair Witch Project genre of film-making which they both belong to, is on ground of mutual compatibility plus the professional expertise and training that they both have.

To begin with, Dolby has many hats on his big shoulders. A Bachelor in Fine Arts with high Honours, Dolby is a Gold medalist and has worked on brands like Barista, Van Gogh Preferred banking (ABN AMRO), Philips and Mufti. He has under his belt to work with creative outfits like GE Capital International Services, Q2A, and as a Creative Consultant and Chief of Visualizers.

Explaining about Henryy Sinha, Samir Emmanuel, Art Director JWT, once said: Henryy has tremendous depth in understanding how communication works. He is full of ideas. Together we have done some great work together for brands like Dainik Bhaskar and DesiMartini!

Henryy Sinha has worked with leading advertising agencies like K Factor, Everest, Iris Worldwide and TBWA India. And have offered brand solutions to niche brands like National Geographic Channel, The History Channel, Pedigree, Adidas, JK Laxmi Cement, Dainik Bhaskar, and Fortune Hotels (ITC).

His greatest moments in life which he never fails to boast of was when he made one of the first ever television commercials for the first Indian Social Networking site, Desimartini.com. Henryy Sinha has worked with industry captains like Prahlad Kakkar, Shivjeet Kullar, Arvind Bugga, actor Om Puri and Alyque Padamsee.

He has been in the strategic team that launched Dainik Bhaskar in Punjab; the campaign went on to become a record breaking success.

It would be interesting to see how the Bishnupriya Manipuri-Punjabi duo curve a place for themselves in the mad bad world of film making. Remembering that it’s going to be a long and tortuous journey lying ahead.

Note: If you are one among them who has set a course for yourself, you are requested, please mail at contact@bishnupriyamanipuri.com

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Delhi touted as the job destination for many Bishnupriya Manipuri youths, in this year has undergone a transformation. The capital city has become the hotspot for many Bishnupriya Manipuri students who want to pursue their studies in the best of the colleges that the city offers to them.

Take Manisha Sinha, a Bishnupriya Manipuri girl, she had a dream to pursue Psychology in the prestigious colleges of the Delhi University. And this year attaining 82.5 per cent in Class XII from Army School Guwahati she set her foot in the capital city to take admission in the regular course offered by the Delhi University. She knew well that taking admission in the Delhi Colleges is going to be tough, very tough with the pouring of brilliant students from all over the country into the city.

But she cracked with her insurmountable, unflinching effort and with the blessings of her parents. She took admission in the Daulat Ram College pursuing her favourite subject Psychology.

SILCHAR, July 22: In order to make their 501-hour road blockade program a success, the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union and the Bishnupiya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad have intensified their activities in Cachar district.

A public meeting was organized by both the organizations at Chincoorie High School in Silchar on Saturday. Sources said, Bishnupriya Manipuri Youths have decided to call a 501-hour bandh from October 21 demanding telecast and broadcasting of Bishnupriya Manipuri programmes from Guwahati Doordarshan and Silchar radio station respectively, to introduce a separate cultural programme division for the linguistic minority community from Guwahati Doordarshan and Silchar AIR.

Manipuri Sahitya Sabha general secretary Manikanta Sinha, Women’s Organization president Rita Sinha, Ram Gopal Junior College principal Manash Sinha, Director of North Eastern Development Council Prof Debasish Purkayastha, secretary of a monthly magazine Abhijan, Narendra Sinha and many other dignitaries were present in the meeting.

Manipuri Students’ Union general secretary Dipu Sinha and Ganasangram Parishad chairman Subal Sinha solicited co-operation from all and sundry in the meeting for the success of their venture.

Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union president Rajkumar Anilkrishna Sinha in his message said, like Sudeshna Sinha who was a martyr in the last movement, many are prepared to become martyrs in the present agitation. Students’ Union general secretary Purnendu Sinha, vice president Tashkasena Sinha, advisor Gurudas Sinha and Tambaksena Sinha were the other leaders present in the meeting held on Saturday. This was informed in a press briefing by Dipu Sinha.

On the other hand, Bishnupriya Manipuri census Asom 2009 was commenced ceremoniously which was announced in the headquarters of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union and Bishnupriya Ganasangram Parishad by Rajkumar Anilkrishna Sinha. Since the Bishnupriya Manipuri population could not be figured out from the government census, both the organizations have taken up the giant task of counting the Bishnupriya Manipuri population in every district of Asom by informing the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts.

In Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, 149 language teachers will do the counting work. Sources said the counting work would be done in the next 15 days and the correct data would be sent to both the Centre and the State government.

GUWAHATI, July 20: Rectifying his earlier reply to a question put by MLA Kartik Sena Sinha in the Assembly on July 15, Asom Minority Welfare Minister Nazrul Islam today said the Bishnupriya Manipuri community is a linguistic minority community.

Islam also informed the House that the proposal to introduce Bishnupriya Manipuri language at the pre-primary level was approved in 1999, and therefore, it is a recognized language. He said the State Government is contemplating on setting up a linguistic minority board, and all developmental works of the minorities will be carried out based on the recommendations of the board. Taking part in the discussion, AGP’s Abdul Aziz said the Bishnupriya Manipuri community has a sizeable population in Barak Valley, and as such, the community should have its representatives in the Minority Development Board.

Sinha had raised the issue of the Bishnupriya Manipuri community being a linguistic minority community in the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 15. He was supported by CPI’s Dhrupad Buragohain who said that the government should fulfil the aspirations of the community. He said an autonomous council should aslo be formed for the Bishnupriya Manipuri community.

Monday, 20 July 2009

In a meeting of the engineers held in Kolkata on July 2 to refurbish the condition of the Yatri Nivas at Radhakund, it was decided that a Technical Sub Committee under the guidance of Dr Ashoke Kumar Sinha, Civil Engineer, will be formed. The Technical Sub Committee will visit Radhakund and prepare a preliminary report on the condition of the accommodations including the boundary wall as well as the strengthening of the south wall of Nat-Mandir (Malthep).

Due to paucity of fund the maintenance work of old accommodations was not done during the last 30 years and as a result the buildings are in a state of dilapidated condition.

Engineers also had consultation on the three-story building which is coming up next to the Mandir. The Mandir is facing scores of problems from the non availability of fund to the unavailability of the lay-out design.

Sarmila Sinha says that the population speaking the language is dwindling. However with the renewed impetus to the preservation of the culture, language and identity by today’s generation, it is safe, avers Pranjal Sinha. For Suroshree Sinha, “Language cannot be extinct” and it is complete “No” for Gautam Sinha.

Sarmila Sinha stays in London, UK, and she is originally from Guwahati, Assam

Is Imaar Thar in Danger? – Yes

I think the population of Bishnupriya Manipuri is dwindling, and there is no political platform to expand or secure our base.

Though I have voted for "yes", but I have a strong feeling that our people are becoming more & more conscious about their identity/culture/language. The participation of many young people shows that.

Anyway, I am optimistic that we will gain our old glory.

Suroshee Sinha’s family stays in Delhi and are from Tripura

Is Imaar Thar in Danger? – No

Language cannot be extinct. Yes there are people who don’t know how to speak "Imaar thar", but I guess it is not their fault. We don’t speak Imaar thar at home even to interact among ourselves. We are more comfortable with the local dialect whatever it might be.
There should be a conscious effort to speak in our Imaar thar at least at home.

I know how to speak in my Imaar thaar even if I live in Delhi, yes I am more comfortable in Hindi or English but mom starts of in Imaar thar and I follow it, can’t that happen in every house hold.

Am I correct (I don’t know), but this seems to be a logical and feasible answer.

Gautam Sinha presently in Goa will be soon in Delhi to pursue MTech in IIT Delhi. He is originally from Tripura.

Is Imaar Thar in Danger? – No

I think that our youngsters understand the Bishnupriya Manipuri language. If we make more and more awareness amongst youngster then this will not happen.

Today is Thanksha!, according to Bishnupriya Manipuri weekdays. If it is translated to English weekdays it comes to be Saturday. What is so particular about this weekday – to be mentioned in the site?

On April 18, 2008, Ranita Sinha wrote on the Bishnupriya Manipuri weekdays: We are very much comfortable with either addressing the seven days of the week in English as Sunday, Monday or in Bengali as Ravibar, Sombar etc. One article on the weekdays doesn’t end or brush up our language skill. To maintain the proficiency of any language, one has to consume it: Yes, daily.

Cruelty of time is that we have almost forgotten our mother tongue weekdays. There is a danger lurking above our head that if it is not resurrected urgently it will vanish. Can’t we all do one thing: what Reader’s Digest is doing it for decades - carrying a page of English vocabulary?

We can start with the Bishnupriya Manipuri weekdays. If for a year in every post the weekdays are mentioned in the site (you can get the glimpse of the practice in the previous posts), I hope in one year the Bishnupriya Manipuri names of the weekdays will be in our active vocabulary. The most positive aspect of this exercise is that the children are going to be benefited more.

However, there is on-and-off participation of readers in the “Learn Bishnupriya Manipuri” initiative started long back in the site. So far it has fetched over 600 entries of words/ sentences and phrases. The initiative is gaining momentum with the participation of non-Bishnupriya Manipuri readers in this language drive. The days are not far when we can have a repository of online Bishnupriya Manipuri words and sentences. To make it happen it needs active cooperation and collaboration from all over the world.

Kolkata Bishnupriya Manipuris celebrated Feera Kang, the second biggest festival after the Sadhu Thakur’s birth anniversary, with pomp and gusto at Begerkhul, a suburban area in South Kolkata, on July 2, 2009.

Prabhas Kanti Sinha, Ishaalpa, sang the entire Doshobotaar in Imaar Thaar. The Kolkata-based Ishaalpa Nirmalendu Sinha and Dhakula Rajat Sinha were able to grip the devotees with their performances.

Besides this, the response from the attendees on the Dhakor Cholon by Kunja Singha and by his daughter was awesome and it was appreciated a lot.

In the Jaidev along with the Bishnupriya Manipuri residents of Kolkata, people from Delhi, Pune, Silchar, Guwahati, and Tripura, also participated.

Kajal Kanti Sinha from Delhi, Rebati Mohan Sinha from Mumbai, Subhash Sharma, the President of Radha Madhav, Ravi from Guwahati, Prabhas Kanti Sinha from Silchar, Dipankar Sinha from Tripura, are few of the people who had their presence in this year’s Kaang Puja held at the city.

When I came to know about Sushant Sinha, a Bishnupriya Manipuri Classical Bhajan and Ghazal singer and heard his songs in one of his live performance at Guwahati, Assam; I completely got swayed with his melodious voice which was full of devotion and in-depth knowledge of the classical music. After knowing about his past performances and experiences in the field of singing, it came to me that Sushant Sinha’s talent needs to be projected and promoted. He is a precious asset for our community and his successes and contributions must be shared amongst us. His singing will grow on the music lovers - the more we listen to him, the more we will like his voice and fall in love.

It is a great pleasure for me that I got the opportunity to create an exclusive blog/site sushantvoice.blogspot.com especially with the aim to promote and expose the talent of an artist and introduce him to everyone online on the Internet. I have made this effort to give a brief introduction of Sushant Sinha, a Bishnupriya Manipuri Classical Bhajan and Ghazal singer and highlighted his notable performances through this exclusive blog. All the information given in this site is based on the information provided by Sushant himself to me in a personal interview.

Born on January 7, 1970, Sushant Sinha, a Classical Bhajan and Ghazal Singer, is a disciple of renowned "Bhajan Samraat" Anup Jalota. He is also known as "Chote Anup" or "Jr. Anup Jalota" for adopting the style of singing (gayaki) of Anup Jalota, touching the heart of music lovers by his melodious and sweet voice. He belongs to the Bishnupriya Manipuri community and was born in the village Abhanga (in Kamalpur) in the Dhalai District of Tripura. Born to father Sumanta Sinha and mother Smt. Radhika Sinha, he has inherited his family's tradition of singing where his father and grandfather were Bishnupriya Manipuri Singers known as "ISALPA" well known to the Bishnupriya Manipuri society for their contribution to keep alive the historic singing style and culture of Bishnupriya Manipuri.

At the age of 12, Sushant started singing by imitating songs from the Bhajans of Shri Anup Jalota like Bhajan Ganga, Bhajan Sandhyas etc. He developed his passion for singing and put his heart and soul in learning and singing Bhajans and Ghazals following the singing style of Anup Jalota.

According to Sushant, Anup Jalota was his inspiring idol and Sangeet Guruji (mentor) or guide though he never met him at his tender age. Though he did not receive any formal training in Vocal, from the age of 16 years he started performing Bhajans Sandhyas, Ghazals, Thumris etc sung by Jalota and others.

In this blog apart from his introduction, I have uploaded and list out some of his recorded audios of Bhajans and other songs. I will try to add more of his various performances and recordings whenever they are available with me. I am hoping to make it the most exhaustive & complete collection of his Bhajans, Ghazals, Thumris & other modern songs sung by him.

I request the readers here to visit the blog and give their valuable comments and suggestions.

I wish Sushant Sinha all the best in life, achieve the ultimate success he deserves and make everyone able to hear his voice with more beautiful songs in future.

I heartily thank Sushant for his cooperation, sharing of information about him and permitting to publish the information about him and his audios on the site.

SILCHAR, June16: The Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union (NBMSU) and Bishnupriya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad (BMGSP) has vehemently criticized the ‘wrong and whimsical’ statement made by State Minister for Tribal Welfare and other Backward Classes Pramila Rani Brahma regarding the status of the Bishnupriya Manipuri in the Assam Assembly last Wednesday.

Brahma had said on the floor of the Assembly that the Bishnupriya Manipuri community was not a notified linguistic minority community. The NBMSU and BMGSP today, in a joint petition to Brahma, asked her to publicly seek apology for her unwarranted comment which has hurt the sentiments of the Bishnupriya Manipuri community, failing which the Bishnupriya Manipuri bodies threatened to block the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar.

The petition further demanded various socioeconomic development schemes for the Bishnupriya Manipuri community. The NBMSU and BMGSP also clarified that the Bishnupriya Manipuri had long been recognized as a linguistic minority community.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

SILCHAR, July 7: In a major development, the 72 Field Regiment of the Assam Riffles, during an operation at Bangairibge jungle in the Baro Bekra, which is a Bishnupriya Manipuri area under Jiribum PS of Manipur, recovered a US carbine, eight olive-green uniforms and two Chinese grenades.

Sources said that the weapons recovered belonged to suspected UNLF militants of Manipur. The operation continued for seven hours with no reports of any casualty.

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

We were feeling shy and insulted. …We were so happy and surprised that my friends hoisted me, says Sonica Rajkumari, a student of SPA Vijaywada, exuberantly detailing her experience while participating in the NOSPLAN event organized in New Delhi.

The event NOSPLAN was of 4 days and it used to start at 9 a.m with breakfast till midnight. On 2nd day of NOSPLAN we had dance competition between colleges at 11p.m. As per schedule we had dilli darshan from 3-7p.m. We had to stay back in college to practice the steps we learned last night. My batch mates were too excited about dilli darshan as they always wanted to see Delhi and its historical places. Anannya had a firm decision of going to Delhi darshan and decided not to dance. Reshma, Anuja and me wanted them to practice. I felt if we cancel dancing we would definitely regret later as every college would be performing and we would not be the part of it, also our college was attending the event first-time. Rayees also wanted to go, his brain was fighting whether to stay back and practice or go to dilli darshan. For him it was the golden chance that comes once in one’s life to explore the capital city Delhi. I tried to persuade them to practice. They were deciding whether to go or not. On the other side students were calling to head towards the bus. As Anannya was the dance partner of Rajeev, who already took her name out of the dance, Rajeev also decided not to dance. At last all decided to go to dilli darshan and it was decided that our college is not going to perform in the dance competition.

Unlike them Reshma, Anuja and me decided not to go for the dilli darshan. Anuja and Reshma were being there for the first time and me though I stay in Delhi but except C.P, market of Karol bagh, District Centre of Janakpuri and where I live I haven’t been anywhere. Now it was clear that we are not dancing.

My all batch mates left and headed towards the bus. Before getting onto the bus Rayees told “leave it ya, come Sonica we will practice, your face has become dull. I am not going.” My face turned to bright again. As Rayees was not going so as Amber, Jack, Ajay and Bhawna also stayed back. Others Ansu, Mithun, and Rajeev also stayed back. Rest went to bus.

We started practicing in a class room. I started teaching steps to Jack in a simple and clear way as he was also dancing for the first time. Rajeev, Ajay and Bhawna also decided to perform. Rajeev practiced on some classical music. Ajay and Bhawna practiced on the Punjabi song ‘jat ho gaya ishq wich dil jogi’. Mithun helped us in fusing the three songs with the classical number in first, followed by a Punjabi song and then our song ‘phir milengey chaltey chaltey’ in his laptop. We practiced till 8 p.m. We didn’t change our clothes, which got wet while practicing as there was no time to go to Nizamuddin and change cloth. From 8 to 10 pm we had dinner so we went to have dinner. I ate only soup and slices I didn’t eat rice otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to dance.

We simply washed our face with facewash and combed hair tidily whereas other colleges were in nice and matching costumes with nice makeup. We were feeling shy and insulted.

Dancing competition started, followed by singing competition. Many colleges performed dance on some filmy and Punjabi track. They actually rocked the stage, everyone was whistling. We got more nervous by seeing all that. I thought without practicing much and costumes, students of the colleges would surely throw vegetables on stage. Thinking all that we told our problem to the host that we practiced only for four hours plus we were in casual daily-wear cloth. She also got surprised hearing that and told us as we were performing first time in NOSPLAN so no problem, performing is the most important then becoming 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Then she put our colleges name at the end of the performance list. I knew we all are going to forget the step on stage. On the other side I was continuously saying to my dance partners and to myself also that just to enjoy on stage, no problem if we forget the steps but don’t be expressionless, a smiley expression will overcome bad dancing.

All colleges’ performance was over now it was our chance. Rajeev’s song was first so he went first. In the starting time all were showing down thumb but as the song progressed all started screaming and applauding it was such a powerful classical music. His song followed by Ajay and Bhawna Punjabi number. All students rose and started dancing. After that Reshma, Rayees, Anuja, Jack, Amber and me danced on ‘hum hain rahi pyar ke phir milengey …’ as usual we all forgot some steps. Still People were continuing singing and dancing. I think only in our performance audience stood up and danced.

Singing competition results were announced first. Our college came 2nd on that. And then dancing competition results, the host started from back. We were expecting our name in 6th, 5th or at least in 4th. As soon as results from back to 4th was announced we started shouting as our college name was not in 4th position. Now we knew that we were in top three. Yup! We were in 3rd position. We were so happy and surprised that my friends hoisted me.

We shouted so much that it took my voice days to come in normal. The whole night and for the next few days this unexpected happening occupied my mind. We were so proud. It was really something unexpected; I mean you can’t even imagine when you already know that you have nothing. It was a happy ending, the same host came and told- ‘you guys, rocked’.

Sunday, 5 July 2009

(The article was first published in the SME TIMES, a prestigious SME news portal, on July 4, 2009. The site draws over 25, 000 visitors per month.)

RK Rishikesh Sinha

A recent MSME lobby poll has revealed that access to credit for MSMEs has not improved even after the announcement of the two stimulus packages. Around 70 percent respondents agreed that the two stimulus packages have not helped them much, while 81 percent witnessed slump in their domestic sales in the last quarter of 2008-2009.

In the export front, 74 percent respondents accepted there has been drop in exports in the same duration. To the question: Do you expect the government to announce new packages for MSMEs? Out of 100 MSME participants, 78 percent said they do expect the government will doll out special packages for them.

Like many small and medium enterprises of the country, Bangalore-based Ascent Consulting Services Pvt Ltd has not seen any improvement in the credit facility on ground after the government came out with the two stimulus packages.

“Credit isn’t easily accessible. We don’t have any credit facilities at this moment,” said Subramanyam S, CEO, Ascent Consulting Services.

“Access to the credit for SMEs has not improved up to the satisfactory level. Bankers still hesitate to extend credit facilities, particularly to export units,” points out Dekora Arts, a Moradabad-based export unit.

Crisis in the export sector started surfacing from 2007-end when the value of the rupee appreciated sharply and the export community, in particular, had to bear losses as they were not able to meet their export commitments.

Any glimmer of hope to see correction in the value of rupee almost vanished with the severity and suddenness at which the global economic crisis engulfed them and with the coming of countries-of-export in recession. In the last quarter December to March 2009, Vee Kay International saw 50 % dip in its export sales, said Sharad M Maheshwari.

“It is a bitter truth that export sales of almost all SME units have gone down. Under such circumstances bankers are reluctant to renew the Packing Credit Limits of Exporters as according to them evaluation of limit is sales-based,” said Atul Gandhi of Dekora Arts. The global recession and the non-availability of credit forced Giesecke & Devrient India Pvt. Ltd. to close down its manufacturing unit.

All government promises and rhetoric that came with the two stimuli fall flat to assuage the pain of small and medium enterprises. “Except sweet talks, there is no improvement in lending by bankers. The MSME advertisement for collateral free loans is mere waste of money and it is misguiding the small industries,” complains APL Polyfab Pvt Ltd.

“Bankers and others have not reduced interests in line with RBI reduction and low inflation. Every bank was increasing interest at the time of rising inflation and RBI rates. However the same linkage was not followed by bankers at the time of falling rates,” it said.

To the question: Has access to credit for SMEs improved on the ground after measures (two stimulus packages) taken by the government early this year? Out of 100 SMEs surveyed, 76 % responded that there has not been any credit improvement on ground.

CN Mohan, Managing Director, Simplex Systems Ltd., affirmed that though some banks have rescheduled the loans only to the extent pending interest; however additional credit despite having a good track record has been denied in many cases. Banks still favour only large corporates.

The non-availability of credit, banks indifferent approach to the problems of SMEs, and with falling demand, it exacerbated the sector to the hilt. According to the survey, 81 % said that their domestic sales have been affected in the December’08 – March’09 quarter. And those in the export sectors 74 % said their sales have been hit in the same quarter.

“The government must, if they are keen to see revival of MSMEs which in turn will help generate employment,” stated Goa State Industries Association. “We definitely want the new government to think about the MSMEs and help them in the interest of national economy,” opined Avon Cranes Pvt. Ltd.

Responses received from the SMEs bring forth the overarching concerns eating the sector which has become acute in the global recessionary slump. They called for systemic reforms in the structure of taxation, MSME finance and credit policies and on the market conditionality.

“Taxes should be in line to survive in international market,” said Global Fashions Ltd. “Loans should be given on less interest, CST should be removed, SSI should get exemption from service taxes, more financial help should be given on domestic and overseas exhibitions for promoting SMEs,” demanded JEI Bearings.

Excise exemption limit for SSI should be enhanced to 300 lakhs from the present 150 lakhs, procedures for buying / selling land, plant, equipment, in conjunction with the approvals from various government bodies have to be simplified with the creation of a single window scheme. In addition to it, reforms in the labour and taxation rules are some of the contentious and pressing issues where the MSMEs have called for attention in the trade lobby survey.

To the question what the MSME sector expects from the coming Union budget 2009-2010? “The Government needs to bring not only Aam Admi budget but the Industrial-friendly budget to let industries cope with the global competition. This can be done with low taxation and easy accessibility of finance with lesser red tapism in productivity and marketing,” said Enkaysagar holdings Pvt Ltd.

Expectation of the release of ‘special’ packages for the MSME sector in the Union Budget is high and they have pinned their hopes. Over 78 per cent of the respondents in the survey affirmed that the new UPA Government will definitely come out with a new package. To what extent the Union budget will meet their expectations and will bail out the MSMEs, it is still under guess.

Saturday, 4 July 2009

GUWAHATI, June 30: Asom Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala told the Assam Assembly that the Government was not aware of the announcement made by Border Areas and Excise Minister Gautam Roy that the Patharkandi civic body as a town Committee on August 15, 2008.

Goala, while replying to an unstarred question from BJP MLA Kartik Sena Sinha, also informed the Assembly that the Government was considering a proposal for forming the Patharkandi Town Committee.

Sinha further asked the minister whether the Patharkandi Town Committee would be formed and when it would come into force.

Goala replied that an appropriate decision would be taken by the Government after following the necessary legal process.

Replying to another question, also from Kartik Sinha, whether the government will take steps to make Karimganj a model town considering its importance due to its closeness to the international as well as inter-state border, Goala said there is no such proposal.

Kabita Sinha is among few of the students who have excelled in their studies in the recently held Class X examination 2009. Daughter of a retired army personnel, she scored over 80 per cent with four letters in the Secondary School Certificate Examination, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education.

Friday, 3 July 2009

Bishnupriya Manipuri is a rich community. It is enriched with art and culture, music and literature, and immense talent. Due to its scattered population and political reasons, the community is still struggling to expose its identity before the society and the world as well. However, with its rich culture and beliefs, we Bishnupriya Manipuris are always brave to face the challenging world and are trying to establish a strong identity for the future.

From my childhood I have heard about many talented Bishnupriya Manipuri personalities and artists from my parents, relatives and friends but I have hardly seen them personally or had read about them and their profiles in books, published magazines etc. except few of them in special functions or occasions. Sometimes, I came to know about some of them in the magazines published in Bishnupriya Manipuri language. But is it sufficient for a talented person to expose his/her talent in a ‘space’ once in blue moon? We can see how the renowned artists are getting good opportunities to expose their art of talent and collecting support from the society & their fans as well as their ability to create a good platform to sustain for a long period.

The truth is that though our community is enriched with talented artists but they are not getting the opportunities to explore their talent in the society which is spreading widely. Even they are hardly encouraged to continue further with their art as a profession or getting opportunities and facilities in the field to sustain successfully. With the passage of time such artists fail to get attention from the society and their talents get hidden within their other own limitations of life.

But time has brought many changes and the culture of Bishnupriya Manipuri is crossing the geographical areas too. Here, I want to refer specially the growing interest in Bishnupriya Manipuri music and the blooming artists of music coming up with new art of talents and adding pride to the community. The success of good artists depends on the society and their fans. Such talented artists & their talent need to be encouraged, projected and promoted to excel in their field. Finally, we can see the green shoots of talented artists are sprouting up and they are scaling new heights.